[Chimera-users] Chimera output into Collada .dae file format

[Evan Kantrowitz]

Hi,

This is the way I got it to work, I exported  Chimera scene to VRML (.wrl).

Next you need blender.  You can download it from
http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/



Then Open Blender.  In the upper right corner in the Scene section
right click on Lamp and delete it
right click on Cube and delete it
right click on Camera and delete it



Save this file so you don't have to do this every time.  I called mine empty_blender_file.blend



Either open empty_blender_file.blend or continue from above and read in the the .wrl file from Chimera
File -> import->X3D Extensible 3D (.x3d/.wrl)



this reads in the file

In Blender you need to delete the three lights that came in from Chimera called TOPO, TOPO.001 and TOPO.002
In the upper right corner in the Scene section
right click on TOPO and delete it
right click on TOPO.001 and delete it
right click on TOPO.002 and delete it

Now you need to move around the viewport to get it centered
In the upper right corner in the Scene section
click on the Viewport
then press number pad 0
Press the cube icon below the Scene section

Now in the transform section move the location x,y,z.  When you have it the way you want it is ready for export.

File->export->collada (.dae)



Done.  This file will read into iBooks Author and have somewhat uniform lighting.  By the way, .dae files can be opened an checked in Preview.  Its easier than going back and forth into the iPad, since you can rotate the image in Preview.

Here is a link to a .dae file of 1crn that you can import into iBooks Author or Preview

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4300550/1crn2_mod.dae



Hope this helps, let me know if it works for you and if you have any suggestions.

Finally, someone needs to write a one step VRML and/or X3D to collada converter that will work with PyMol and Chimera etc.

PS It was a little easier from PyMol, if your interested see the post at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3670156?start=0&tstart=0

PSS.  Okino Computer Graphics makes a .wrl and .x3d to .dae converter http://www.okino.com



Have fun!
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Evan R. Kantrowitz, Ph.D                                                                  evan.kantrowitz at bc.edu<mailto:evan.kantrowitz at bc.edu>
Boston College                                                                                   Tel. 617-552-4558
Department of Chemistry                                                                  FAX 617-552-2705
Merkert Chemistry Center, Rm 239                                                  www2.bc.edu/~kantrow<http://www2.bc.edu/~kantrow>
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
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